A consultation between organisers and stallholders of a popular Sunday market in Somerset will take place after the market was temporarily closed.

The Sunday Market in Shepton Mallet which takes part around the town’s iconic market cross on the third Sunday of each month hosts around 40 stall holders.

Mendip District Council which organises the market, last week announced that it would “take a couple of months break over the summer” provoking an outcry from residents who accused the council of a “lack of effectiveness” and “diabolical communication” after Somerset Live revealed how stallholders were only told about the closure after the public statement had been issued.

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At a full council meeting on Monday evening (July 17) the portfolio holder of Neighbourhood and Community Health Services, Councillor Nigel Taylor apologised to stallholders before announcing that the consultation process adding that he was “very sorry” that the decision had to be taken.

He also told the meeting that the upcoming market, scheduled to take place on July 16 only had 12 bookings.

Mr Taylor told Somerset Live: “We want to investigate and understand what caused the temporary closure of the Sunday market. We need to make sure that the future market has the very best chance of succeeding and that is what we’ll do.”

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Councillor Phillip Ham, the portfolio holder for transformation said that the consultation would look at the reasons surrounding "the failure of the market".

In its official statement announcing the temporary closure, the council said: “Shepton Mallet's Sunday Market will take a couple of months break over the summer to allow organisers to concentrate on bringing it back, bigger and better in September.

“The decision has come after feedback from traders that many of them will be busy with other commitments over the summer holiday period.

"Rather than run two smaller Sunday markets with fewer stalls the decision was made to have a short break, which will also allow the organisers time to revamp the market for September when the traders will be back and the market will once again be buzzing with people.

“The regular Friday market will continue run as usual, alongside the free Friday parking in Great Ostry Car Park.”